November 01, 2018

Cold Feet Cures (Maybe).

With the approach of ski season, it is that time to try and get my scene dialed. I have noticed in the last few years that my right foot around the ball of the foot and big toe tend to get cold. Not sure if it is the result of too tight ski boots or cycing shoes for years or some other medical condition. Regardless, I find my right foot can get quite cold. I have tried few things to remedy the situation and no, my boots don't need to be replaced. The oldest pair is only five season old and still holding up well. It is a fact of skiing that the boots need a certain degree of tightness otherwise skiing in control is almost impossible, and as you progress you use stiffer and tighter boots. As a patroller comfort is key but not at the expense of control and the ability to do the job. Bedroom slippers are great but try skiing a loaded sled in those comfy buggers. Not good. If you are one of those folks who suffers from cold feet when skiing, maybe I can help with the following suggestions.

1. Loosen the buckles while standing in the lift line and for the chairlift ride up. This helps a lot.

2. Wear good quality wool blend socks.

3. Get out of your boots ASAP after the end of the day (I know its cool to go to the bar in your boots but not really. You end up drunk and sweating in your boots, and then you forget to dry them out properly when you get to the hotel or condo) then get the liners dried out completely. If you have a boot dryer at home great. There are a few models for traveling (I myself will be buying a set after my last trip to Europe. No boot dryer in the condo) that work. If you forget one or don't want to spend the money, grab some newspaper. Stuff your boots with the paper and let them sit for a couple hours. Pull the now damp newspaper out and you boots will dry much faster. If you can, pull your liners out and dry them separately from your shells. Use a paper towel or something to wipe out the liners. Sweat will travel through the liners and condense on the inside of the shells. It can be hard to pull out your liners and even harder to put them back in. When in Europe I pull my liners every night, wipe out the shells, stuff newspaper in the liners for a few hours, and then put a couple chopsticks cut to about 8" length in the liners to prop open the tongue so airflow is increased. In the am I use a shoe horn designed for ski boots to reinsert the liners. I use the Ski Boot Horn, available from skiandsnowboardhorn.com for $10. Worth every penny. For the most part my boots are pretty dry but a travel boot dryer that forces some air into the boots is much better. DO NOT PUT YOUR LINERS OR SHELLS NEAR THE FIRE! The liners can change their shape (many are heat molded so a hot heat source like a fire can reset the fit) and/or the shells can melt. Bad idea.

4. Keep your boots inside and warm. They won't dry out in the car and they will be cold, wet, and impossible to get into the next day. Plus your feet will be cold right from the start. A bit smelly but only if you don't spray your liners with some Lysol. Use it.

6. Invest in some boot warmers. There are a lot of models/makes out there. Consider having them put in at a professional bootfitting shop so your fit can be adjusted. I know several people who swear by them.

7. Invest in some neoprene boot covers. Boot Gloves is the brand name of one type made by Dryguy. They look a bit silly and I have always wondered at their effectiveness but several people I know who live in their boots (ski instructors, ski patrollers) also swear they work. At around $30.00 a pair they are worth considering.

8. Consider a pair of thin neoprene waterproof socks. The socks act like a vapor barrier and your feet stay warm. Feet sweat a lot, and the idea of the VBS is your feet are in this bag and the moisture climbs to a point that your feet "sense" things are moist enough and presto, they drastically reduce sweating. You do stay warm for sure, but your feet tend to get a bit soggy. Not pruney soggy or dripping wet socks, just damp. However, your liners are bone dry and you don't have to worry about drying them out. I use plastic bags (heavier weight Reynolds oven bags, size large, work quite well) which have the added effect of making getting into your boots easier because of the slick plastic. You do have to be careful to open up your boots as much as possible and not force your feet in too much otherwise the plastic bags tend to tear at the toes, and they get cold as a result. Alpine touring boots work well with plastic bags because they generally open up more than full-on alpine boots. Because of the tear factor, I will be buying some neoprene socks this winter for some tests.

9. Start the day with warm and dry boot liners. If you couldn't get the liners dry, at least warm them up. If you put your boots on inside, they should already be warm. However, if you need to travel to the ski hill by car or bus, wearing your boots may not be an option. Walking in ski boots is not the best: most folks aren't that comfortable in walking in them, dealing with ice/snow is that much more hazardous, and it wears out the heels and toes prematurely. Many boot makers now have replaceable heel/toes or some sort of grippy addition to the heels and toes to help with walking but still easier with normal shoes. To keep your boots warm and easier to put on (warm shells means they flex a bit and it is much easier to put them on) save a couple 20 ounce plastic soda bottles. Fill them with hot tap water, seal with the caps, and put them in your boots. If you have a boot bag, put the boots in the bag: it will retain the heat a bit. When I travel by car with my boots, I fill four soda bottles, put two inside the boots, put the boots in my boot bag, and then add the other two bottles at the front and back of the shells inside the bag to keep the shells warm. Roasty toasty shells and liners when I get to the ski hill.